FuRR Yard Sale

The semi-annual FuRR Yard Sale is scheduled for June 21-22. Setup is June 20. This is our biggest fund raiser of the year. Please click here for more information.

ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT

Senate Bill #13 and Senate Bill #14 are currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee and scheduled for hearing next Wednesday. Both of these bills, if passed into law, would render the existing felony cruelty act useless. All of the hundreds of cats our programs help throughout the year would virtually "be on their own" since this bill makes it unlawful for us to TNR or rescue any cat that may have an owner, even if it is suspected the cat has been abandoned.

Animal rescue groups and stakeholders such as the Arkansas Animal Protection Coalition are rallying against these bills but we need your help.

Jake Hillard, Director of Arkansans for Animals has provided excellent summaries of these two bills which can be viewed here. Many of you are very familiar with AFA, a group that has partnered with FuRR to help us increase the effectiveness of our Spay/Neuter programs.

Please…we are asking you to be a voice for those who have no voice. Contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and your Senator and Representative and share your concerns, just a brief statement, asking for their support by voting against SB13 and SB14. You can either email or contact them by phone. Just a minute of your time can save the lives of so many!

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Bill Sponsor: GaryStubblefield, gary.stubblefield@senate.ar.gov
Jeremy Hutchinson, Jeremy.Hutchinson@senate.ar.gov  
Robert Thompson, Robert.Thompson@senate.ar.gov
Eddie Joe William,  EddieJoe.Williams@senate.ar.gov
JaneEnglish, jane.english@senate.ar.gov
Keith Ingram, friendsforkeith@gmail.com
Jon Woods, woods.arkansas@gmail.com
Bryan King,  bryan.king@senate.ar.gov

To contact a Senator, either click or copy and paste this link into your browser.

Thank you…

FuRR Board of Directors and Volunteers

Stop the Scapegoating of Cats

Articles scapegoating cats have been all over the news this week, from The New York Times to USA Today.

These stories are based on biased research that could lead to more outdoor cats being rounded up and killed. It's absolutely horrifying.

The media are relying on a so-called "study" funded by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Migratory Birds that recklessly perpetuates a bogus debate. It's propaganda, and Alley Cat Allies is demanding that the Smithsonian denounce it.

This "study" is a direct attack on our progress with Trap-Neuter-Return. In communities across the country, TNR stabilizes and reduces the population of feral cats and saves millions of cats from being killed in shelters. This Smithsonian report is a desperate attempt to set back that progress.

Please, don't let that happen. We need you to stand with us right away. We have to stop this junk science advocating for the mass killing of cats and immediately combat the lies.

Speak out and stand with us. Tell the Smithsonian: Stop spreading junk science that will kill cats.

This "study" was authored by researchers with an anti-cat track record. It appeared in the online journal Nature Communications.

The authors arrived at their chosen conclusion by cherry-picking data in the most egregious fashion. Worse still, they cite a discredited researcher, a colleague who was convicted and then fired for trying to poison cats.

Let's be clear: the real threats to birds and other wildlife populations—deforestation, climate change, and habitat destruction—are being ignored.

We cannot stand for cats to be scapegoats.

More killing should never be the answer. We've got to come together and speak out now to save cats' lives—they're counting on us.

Click here to tell the Smithsonian to stop spreading false information that puts cats at risk.

This aritcle quoted from Alley Cat Allies.

FuRR Awarded Petco Grant

Petco Foundation has awarded FuRR a spay/neuter grant for feral and stray cats and kittens living in managed colonies or with low-income individuals unable to afford standard sterilization costs. Rabies shots will also be included. We are very excited to have received this grant that will significantly expand our spay/neuter efforts in Central Arkansas and grossly underserved areas of the state, save hundreds more lives and greatly impact the overpopulation and needless suffering.

Individuals interested in applying for assistance can contact FuRR via email at saveacat@teamfurr.org or at (501) 661-0956.

Thank you Petco!

FRIDAY the 13TH - A LUCKY DAY FOR HEBER SPRINGS CATS

On Friday, July 13, Feline Rescue and Rehome (FuRR) met with AG&FC to discuss options for the feral cats living at the Barnett Access on the Little Red River in Heber Springs. It was agreed that FuRR will be handling the humane trapping of the cats and transporting them to veterinarians where they will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and treated for any health concerns.

Some of the cats are socialized (tame) and could be great family pets. Others are feral (not socialized) and would make good barn or outdoor cats. FuRR will be working with the Humane Society of Heber Springs in an effort to find new "forever" homes.

If you are interested in making a donation to help support the medical and food costs associated with this effort, you can mail your donation to FuRR, P.O. Box 250567, Little Rock, AR 22225 . You can also use the Paypal icon at the top of every page on the FuRR website. Those interested in adoption should contact FuRR by calling (501) 661-0956 or via email at saveacat@teamfurr.org.

Important Information About Feral Cats

Feral cats, those that have adapted to living among humans yet are not socialized, generally live very healthy and happy lives outdoors. Research is clear that they do not suffer or pose health risks to other cats or humans. They have survived outdoors for thousands of years, yet the policies of many animal control systems and even, animal rescue organizations reflect a belief that it is more humane to kill them.

Click here for the full story.

Kitten season is just around the corner!!!

FuRR aggressively works to promote spay/neuter of all cats and offers assistance to animal lovers and concerned citizens as much as we can. Our volunteers work very hard, especially at this time of year, to educate the public about proper TNR (trap-neuter-release) procedures, colony management techniques, low-cost spay/neuter options and fostering/adopting, and all activities targeted at decreasing the overpopulation and suffering of our feline friends.

FuRR is an entirely volunteer organization whose Board and membership receive no monetary support for their time and work. There are many different areas of need and each one of them is vital to the overall success of our mission to save lives.

We are already seeing an increase in requests for help with feral and stray cats FuRR will train volunteers in proper TNR procedures and will be given the support of a "veteran" volunteer...but we need more volunteers so we can help more kitties.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!

Our greatest needs right now are:

Help FuRR feed our feline friends when you buy the FuRR Cookbook, "Operation Cookin' with Jack."

Jack's Cookbook Includes
Great Recipes from Friends of FuRR
Pet Treat Recipes
Wonderful Cat Stories
Special Feline Tips
Cookbook Stand
Room to Add Your Own Recipes

All of this for only $19.95. The cookbook can be found at Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital, or at Petsmart in NLR on Sundays from 2-4pm, or at the FuRR spay/neuter clinic on the 2nd Saturday of the month at Little Rock Animal Village. You may also order Your copy online through PayPal with the button below. $5 shipping per cookbook will be added.

Please write "Cookbook" on the check and make sure you include your mailing address.

FuRR volunteers are overwhelmed with calls for help and unable to answer them all at this time. However, we recognize that your problem or concern is very important. So we are providing the following articles for your information in hopes that you will find a solution for your particular kitty situation.

Finding a New Home for Your Cat

It was a hard decision. You’ve checked out all the other options and you really need to find a new home for your feline friend. And you know finding that home won’t be easy either. But we have a few suggestions that might help. (Read More)

How to Avoid Cat Urine Spraying

If you are a cat owner, you may already know that that a significant problem you have to deal with is when your cat starts to spray. In addition to urinating out of physiological necessity, many cats use their urine to mark their territory, to let other cats know they have been there or to give an area its own special smell. This behavior is called urine spraying. (Read More)

How to Bottle Feed Kittens

So, you’ve found some tiny kittens which are way too young to be on their own. The mother may have been hit by a car, mauled by a dog, or has abandoned the kittens.

FuRR is usually running at more than full capacity and we can't always take the kittens. If they are taken to a city shelter, they will not have the time or resources to provide the 24 hour support they need. If you need help bottle feeding kittens please call or email FuRR. Include Bottle-Feeding Help in your subject line. Please include a phone number you can be reached at. A FuRR volunter will contact you to discuss your situation.

While you are waiting to be contacted, the following information can get you started caring for your kittens. (Read More)

Call for Volunteers

Help End the Madness

"Kitten Season" has definitely arrived! Homeless cats and kittens desperately need help finding new homes. Spay/Neuter efforts are more important than ever to prevent suffering.

Make a Positive Difference in a Cat's Life

FuRR receives hundreds of calls and requests a month asking for rehoming advice and assistance with low-cost spay/neuter services. Currently, we do not have enough volunteers to return calls and respond to emails. Would you be willing to help FuRR return phone calls? Volunteers will be provided a short training course and will be provided with all necessary information. Schedules are flexible.

"Hands-on" Volunteering Opportunity!

With the overwhelming numbers of cats and kittens during this time of year, our spay/neuter requests significantly increase and so does the need for volunteers to help with TNR (trap, neuter/spay, release) projects. We need trappers and transporters. This is a real hands-on opportunity to work with the cats. FuRR will provide TNR training and all required equipment.

If you can help FuRR to return calls or to do TNR, email FuRR at saveacat@teamfurr.org or call and leave a message for Lynne at (501) 661-0956.

Our Mission...

Feline Rescue and Rehome (FuRR) is committed to improving the lives of cats and kittens, be they feral or friendly.

Want to adopt?

We have many loving and very adoptable cats and kittens. Just click on "Adopt Me!" on the left of the page.

This web site contains only a few of our cats and kittens. If you don't see what you want, call the number given to ask for more information.

FuRR adoption fees are: Kittens under 6 months are $75, adults are $60. The adoption fee includes felv/fiv testing, a spay or neuter when the cat is old enough, and vaccinations already administered to the cat or kitten appropriate for the cat's age. Further required vaccinations are the responsibility of the adopter.

Our Wish List...

• Most importantly, our cats are looking for their "forever" homes. We have lots of sweet darlings who are ready to fill your life with joy. Please click on "Adoptions" on the left to see just a few of our cats. If you don't see what you want, call or email us and we'll contact you.
• If you can't give them "forever" homes, we still have fun felines who need a foster home, til they can be adopted permanently. We are so short of foster homes, we have more cats than there are fosters. The lack of foster homes is an extreme limiting factor in what FuRR can accomplish.
• You can find more volunteer opportunities by clicking on "Volunteer" on the left.
• Our cats can't get themselves to the adoption events and clinics by themselves. They would like a little help from volunteers who will show them at the adoptions events and transport them to clinics.
• FuRR's furry felines also appreciate quality cat food, cleaning supplies, bedding, cat carriers, cat toys, just about anything needed to care for felines.
• Let's not forget that thing that makes the world go 'round. Cash donations will buy many of the things listed above and will provide medical care and fund the spay/neuter clinics.
• We are a federally approved non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
• You can donate by clicking on the Paypal icon above, or by shopping through iGive.com, or donations can be mailed to:

FuRR

P.O. Box 250567

Little Rock, AR 72225

You can email us at saveacat@teamfurr.org or phone us at 501-661-0956. Emails are typically answered sooner.